Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms save lives. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Fire spreads fast—working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly and significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

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Remember these smoke alarm tips:

• Replace batteries twice a year, unless you are using 10-year lithium batteries.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement.

• Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 10 years or according to manufacturer’s instructions.

• Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking – it can be a deadly mistake.

• Audible alarms are available for visually impaired people and smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the hearing impaired.

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Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that often goes undetected, catching victims off guard or in their sleep. It is produced by burning fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, portable generators or furnaces. When the gas builds up in enclosed spaces, people or animals who breathe it can be poisoned. Ventilation does not guarantee safety.

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When the carbon monoxide alarm sounds:

• Immediately move outside to fresh air

• Call the gas company, fire department or 9-1-1

• Do a head count to account for everyone

• Do not re-enter the premises until emergency responders have given you permission to do so

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Know the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Know as the "invisible killer," you may not realize you have carbon monoxide poisoning until it's nearly too late. Symptom severity varies depending on the level of carbon monoxide and duration of exposure. Mild symptoms sometimes are mistaken for coming down with the flu. 

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Low to moderate carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea

• Dizziness

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High-level carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Mental confusion

• Vomiting

• Loss of muscular coordination

• Loss of consciousness

• Death

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The CDC offers these additional tips:

• Have your furnace, water heater and any other gas or coal-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year

• Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors

• Have your chimney checked and cleaned every year, and make sure your fireplace damper is open before lighting a fire and well after the fire is extinguished

• Never use a gas oven for heating your home

• Never use a generator inside your home, basement or garage, or less than 20 feet from any window, door or vent; fatal levels of carbon monoxide can be produced in just minutes, even if doors and windows are open

• Never run a car in a garage that is attached to a house, even with the garage door open; always open the door to a detached garage to let in fresh air when you run a car inside

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Resources

• 5 Smoke Alarm Safety Tips from First Alert

• NFPA Smoke Alarm Information

• Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Killer (National Safety Council)

• NFPA Carbon Monoxide Safety

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